Most deemed it likely for the 3DS to be slated for a Q4 2010 release – competing with rival hardware launches such as PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect for Xbox 360. However, with only six months to go, Nintendo kept mum on when the handheld would debut in any territory.

There was also little word on what software would launch with the device. The only first-party software shown in action was Kid Icarus: Uprising, with additional titles such as a 3D edition of Nintendogs mentioned in passing.

It is possible Nintendo could announce a release date closer to Christmas, most likely at its annual Fall Press Conference in Japan. In 2008, the company unveiled the DSi for the first time a month ahead of its Japanese release.

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